Esports Data Company Closes $3 Million Seed Round

Esports continues to be a hot topic, even at the 2018 CES. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

XSeed Capital and Eniac Ventures are leading a $3 million seed round in a data and analytics company called Esports One. The company uses proprietary computer vision technology, machine learning and custom datasets to provide real-time live modules to inform and engage esports fans.

Essentially, what Esports One does is watch the esports games with the spectator and narrates what is occurring on screen. It adds a layer to esports streams with various types of modules, including live statistics for those who care about the analytics in the game.

"Esports spectatorship is currently catching fire. According to NewZoo the number of enthusiasts is expected to grow 50% by 2020 to approximately 286 million, and this audience is groomed to expect the most advanced, competitive and customizable technology,” said Eniac Ventures Founding General Partner Vic Singh. "We are excited to support an industry veteran and a technology platform with cutting-edge computer vision and machine learning capabilities that bring esports spectators a deeper, more engaging experience through real-time data and analysis, a key missing ingredient in the viewing experience today."

Currently, esports data is mostly generated through game publisher APIs, which ESports One Co-Founder and CEO Matthew Gunnin says can oftentimes be restricted, unreliable or even non-existent. Esports One is different in that it utilizes computer vision technology to capture what is occurring in real-time.

The streaming services, such as Twitch, love the concept as well.

"The data-driven analysis coupled with the customizable approach significantly improves our broadcast quality and, in turn, increases viewership and engagement," said Twitch Director of Strategic Partnerships Mark "Garvey" Candella. "Paired with Twitch Extensions, the capabilities for both the broadcaster and viewer are endless. Furthermore, Esports One will be a major value-add for our Twitch Student program as we continue to explore new ways to improve the academic experience for Twitch users all over the world. On top of that, with the launch of Esportspedia Collegiate, we will now have an all-in-one resource for each one of our clubs."

Gunnin says that the $3 million seed round will enable his company to continue to scale operations and "aggressively" hire top talent.

Darren Heitner is the Founder of HEITNER LEGAL and Founder/Chief Editor of Sports Agent Blog, a leading niche industry publication. He focuses on sports, entertainment, and intellectual property litigation and transactional work, and is the author of 2 editions of How to Pla...